This site is a class blog space for new Career and Technical Specializations and Heathcare Science teachers enrolled in the New Teacher Institute (NTI) at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.

Rules For Posting To This Blog and Weekly Blog Question

1. Only use your first name (no last names, addresses, IM screen names, etc.)2. Show respect and consideration of others when posting and commenting. This includes individuals, students, organizations, political parties, colleagues, etc.3. Check all posts for spelling and grammar errors before posting.4. Protect the privacy of others. Gain permission from other people before you write about them. Avoid sharing someone else's last name. Use job titles or pseudonyms when writing about experiences with your co-workers or students.5. Watch your language. Use politically correct and non-offensive language.6. Make sure you write about things that are factual.7. Keep your postings education-oriented. Avoid discussing plans for the weekend, etc.

FINAL BLOG POST - OUR "DAILY TRIPLE" (DUE 12/1).

This week I would like you to use your imagination. You have just won the lottery and will leave your teaching post immediately to travel around the world. As you leave your keys you meet your replacement. You are asked to give this new teacher just ONE piece of advice. What would that be, and why? Enjoy your world expedition!

Blog Post - Week 7

This past week in my own teaching I felt a little disconnected which prompts my question to you, "What was the moment (or moments) when I felt most disconnected or disengaged as a teacher - the moment(s) I said to myself, I'm just going through the motions here?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 6

For the past couple of weeks you have experienced asynchronous online learning (doing modules by yourself). Previously this semester you have experienced synchronous online learning (all together in the Collaborate room). Which do you think is more effective and why do you think that? Which do you like better, and why?

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 5

This week we have what we call "open mic." You can write a post about anything related to your teaching that you would like responses from your classmates.

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 4

Here is this week's question: "What was the event that most took me surprise this week - and event that shook me up, caught me off guard, gave me a jolt, or made me unexpectedly happy?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 3

Please write a post about the following question, "In thinking about my past week teaching what is one thing I would do differently, and why?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 2

Please write a post about the following question, " In thinking about my teaching activities this past week, of what do I feel most proud? Why?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 1

Describe something you used in your program in the first weeks of school that you learned in the summer NTI program. How did it work? Did it get you off to a stronger start than last year?

Monday, March 1, 2010

Staying out of the classroom

I laughed when I first read this because I think the biggest thing I learned was that you should only lecture for 15 - 20 minutes max. I was given the job, a few power points and told good luck. With this, I would talk to the students for hours about cooking terminology and techniques but only in theory. It took us several days (1 1/2 hour classes) to get through sanitation and now looking back, I have no idea how my kids survived or why they came back for a second year. The reason that I did so much lecturing brings me to the second thing I learned, delegation.

I would dread doing practical hands on work because I would always end up doing all the dirty work. I had developed a very basic lab management plan (didn't even know that was what it was called) but it was so vague that the students could not follow it and I could not keep track of who was in charge of different tasks. I would be at work as late as 11 pm doing clean up. Now, after NTI I have a GREAT lab management plan that works overall for everyone but definitely works for me. We now cook every other day and spend very little time in the classroom. I am happy, the students are happy; it is a win, win situation.

3 comments:

Hi, Ginger - great post, and kudos to you for implementing such measures. Effective education, particularly career tech, can be hands-on and enjoyable as well. Your students are learning many valuable lessons by being totally involved in all aspects of your program. Good for you!

I was also suprised that there was a limit of 15-20 minutes of lecture. I then began to notice that the kids grew weary of too much lab time too. It takes a delicate balance to get it right. Fortunately, my kids respond to longer lectures and my school system encourages longer it. the trick is to keep the lecture animated and interesting. My labs are now more organized and engaging, even if they are shorter. It is tough to keep them from dredding one or the other but it sounds like you have it nailed, as I new from the day I met you that you would!!

Yes. you must have a clean up plan. Because I will not clean up after my students. They know no clean up no lab. I use a check off list and it works. I give them an activity sheet with dates of there clean up task. I have to sign off on it each day or they will get extra work the next day.